Category Archive: Hymn History

In January, the Freed-Hardeman Chorale toured North Texas during their Winter Tour. I was blessed to hear them sing most every night of the 12 day tour, and one of my favorite songs they sang was written by Kurt Bestor. In 2005, he shared the background for the song and how it was born from …

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;He chastens and hastens His will to make known.The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;So from the beginning the fight we were winning;Thou, Lord, were at …

Have you ever stopped to consider how words, though spelled alike, have a different meaning? It’s easy to see how words like post can mean something you write or something you dig a hole for. Or how stalk, can be a part of a plant or it could mean to follow someone. How about the …

The following account is one man’s record of how we came to know and love “Silent Night.” The accompanying video (YouTube) is sung acapella by St. Thomas Boy’s Choir. They’re singing this song in its original language, German. The story is told… In 1818, a roving band of actors was performing in towns throughout the Austrian Alps. …

Two brilliant song writers, separated by almost a century of time and half a world apart, created of one of the most recognizable ‘Christmas hymns’ ever sung. Issac Watts and Lowell Mason were musical icons who blazed new trails for spiritual renewal. Their work has touched the hearts of God-fearing men, women and children for …

Concerning a particular situation or a specific set of circumstances some might said, ‘What a coincidence!’ But how do we know if something is coincidental (lucky) or if it’s more likely providential? Often we look at life and see it as lucky or unlucky, black or white and yet all the while we might be …

There are some who are ‘early birds’ while others are ‘night owls.’ You’ve heard that the ‘early bird’ gets the worm, and the ‘night owl’ keeps vigil through the evening hours. We all have our preferences when it comes to the morning watch or the late night. Some are early to bed, early to rise …

Ask any grade school child and they can tell you all about ‘Show & Tell.’ This is the time to share with your friends something you cherish and hold as very dear. It’s an exciting time because it’s about something you know very well. Something that is close to you and personally dear. ‘Show and …

Richard Dent’s research and writing will again grace this website as we look at Hymnology in some general terms. Have you ever thought that there are ‘rules’ for congregational singing? In this report we’ll look at some ideas from Wesley, Watts and Newton. Let’s consider how we can benefit from knowing more about the history …

For the next few months articles will be shared from the research of my uncle, Richard Dent. He and his wife live in Kansas where he has served in the educational system for more than 40 years. Yet more than educating young people, he serves as a part-time preacher for the Tyrone church of Christ …